Tips for Nailing a Job Interview

Research the Company Your Interviewing For

One of the best ways to ace your interview and make a good impression is to research the company before-hand. Knowledge is power and employers love to know that you care enough about their company (or at least the job) enough to research it in your own time. It will also make answering questions in the interview easier because you can relate so of your answers back to the company.

Research the Job Description

Before starting any job, it is incredibly important to research what you’re going to be doing in the role. Job descriptions and expectations will vary between company but a general understanding of the job role will go a long way.

Make Sure You Know Your CV Well

Some interviewers will study your CV to ask questions which relate back to it – this is to see if people are lying or if they actually possess the skills and knowledge that they say they do. Make sure your CV is relevant and if it’s not correct this during the interview when a chance arises. If you lie on your CV chances are you will get caught out at some point, and this looks extremely unprofessional.

Arrive Early

If you are unsure about the area of where you’re going for the interview, make sure you aim to be there about 30 minutes before. This will allow time for things such as heavy traffic, getting lost, finding the building etc. However early you decide to arrive ensure that you have about 10 minutes between arriving in the building and when the interview starts, as this will allow you to go over your CV, interview questions and key strengths.

Display Your Skills with Examples

There’s no point in saying “I can do x, y and z” without giving relevant examples. Employers hear it all the time, even from people who don’t actually have these skills as some people lie thinking they can blag their way into the job. You’ll have a more successful interview and more chance of getting the job if you can prove to your employer that you have these skills and know how to apply them.

Make Eye Contact

Non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal communication. Making eye contact can covey if a person is strong or weak.

Body Language

Just like eye contact, body language is an important aspect of non-verbal communication. This will convey to the employer if you are confident, relaxed, nervous or unsure of yourself. You need to give off good vibes during the interview by using open body language.

Ask Questions

It is important to ask questions after the initial interview is over. This shows to your potential employer that you are interested in the job, and is also another way to showcase your research and knowledge of the company. However, this is not the time to ask about things such as holidays and company perks. The whole point of a job interview is to see what you could do for the company, not what the company could do for you.